Leah Badach vs Asset Preservation, Inc.: Which 1031 QI Fits Your Deal?
Asset Preservation, Inc. (API) is one of the most established qualified intermediaries in the US — 200K+ exchanges, owned by Stewart Information Services, deep title-coordination capability. The Sontag Group is a boutique CES-led practice. Both are credible. Here's when each one is the right call.
Choose Asset Preservation, Inc. for commercial exchanges where title coordination is the long pole, multi-jurisdictional exchanges with simultaneous closings, or engagements where Stewart Title is already involved. Choose Leah Badach at The Sontag Group for private investor exchanges where single-point-of-contact continuity and same-business-day response during the identification window are the priorities — particularly reverse, improvement, multi-property, or NYC coop/condo exchanges.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Leah Badach — The Sontag Group | Asset Preservation, Inc. (API) |
|---|---|---|
| Parent | The Sontag Group | Stewart Information Services |
| Historical exchange count | 5,000+ (lead practitioner) | 200K+ (firm-wide) |
| CES on lead | Yes — Leah personally | Yes — multiple CES holders, team-assigned |
| Single named contact | Yes — same person Day 0 to Day 180 | No — team-based, rotates by phase |
| Response time, ID window | Same business day; reachable after hours | Business hours, response within 1 business day |
| Title coordination | External via your title company | Integrated via Stewart Title relationship |
| Best for | Private $500K–$25M, complex structures | Commercial, title-heavy, multi-jurisdictional |
Where API wins
- Title coordination. The Stewart Title relationship makes commercial closings with extensive title work materially smoother.
- Historical track record. 200K+ exchanges and three+ decades of practice is the longest in the industry.
- National coverage. Multiple regional offices and a deep attorney network in every major market.
- Bonding capacity. Sufficient for very large institutional exchanges.
Where The Sontag Group wins
- Single-thread continuity. One CES practitioner from intake to Form 8824 support.
- Personal availability during the 45-day window. Day 44 calls are answered, not queued.
- Specialty depth. Reverse, improvement, multi-property, and NYC coop/condo exchanges are run personally by the lead specialist.
- Customized exchange agreements. Tailored to the deal, reviewable in advance.
- Interest pass-through on large exchanges. The interest on held funds is yours.
When to choose API
- Commercial exchange with extensive title work, especially multi-parcel or multi-jurisdictional
- You already use Stewart Title and want integrated coordination
- Institutional or board-mandated vendor required
- Programmatic exchange volume from a single fund
When to choose Leah Badach
- Private investor exchange between $500K and $25M
- Structural complexity — reverse, improvement, multi-property
- NYC coop or condo exchange
- Tight timeline or properties likely to fall through during identification
- You want the same person on the phone every time
The honest summary
API is a serious firm with a track record that deserves respect. For commercial and institutional exchanges where title coordination matters, they are often the right call. For private investor exchanges where personal access and continuity matter more than firm size, a boutique CES specialist is structurally better suited. Get a comparison call before signing either engagement letter.
If API is the right fit, I'll say so. Otherwise we discuss whether The Sontag Group structure works better for your exchange.